Stepping up to the plate: Covina's four high schools; South Hills, Charter Oak, Northview and Covina to play a charity doubleheader to benefit the Ortega Family
Baseball in January? That's right, thanks to the thoughtful gesture from Covina coach Pete Loaiza, Charter Oak's Tom Quinley, Northview's Darren Murphy and South Hiils' Kevin Smith, who have scheduled a doubleheader on Monday, January 19, to benefit the Ortega family, who had nine family members tragically murdered in what has become known throughout the country as the Christmas Eve Massacre. There will be a snackbar and donation opportunity for those attending the games with all proceeds going to the Ortega Family.
"Basically, all of us got together and decided to use a day of baseball between the four high schools from Covina as a way to raise money for the Ortega family," Northview coach Darren Murphy said. "Everyone raised in Covina or teaching at the Covina schools is somehow affected by this unfortunate tragedy, so it made sense for us to do what we do best and that's play baseball with the fundraiser attached to it."
The doubleheader will be played on Jan. 19 (Martin Luther King Day) at Azusa Pacific University, and both games will be nine innings with no emphasis on who wins.
Charter Oak vs. Covina, 2 p.m.
Northview vs. South HIlls, 5 p.m.
Comments
Hey Fred,
It would be a nice gesture on behalf of the SGV Tribune to donate to the cause as well. Maybe a percentage of all subscriptions in Covina could go to the charity. Just a thought.
Posted by: Just a thought | January 12, 2009 9:07 AM
Mr. Ochoa, with all due respect let's hardly think of it as sad WHEN a community comes together yet with HONOR when we do. I hope everyone in Covina makes some effort to help support this family. Our city is forever effected but we will move on, so lets do our very best to let this Ortega family move forward. Like all the others, what an incredible act of kindness these Covina high school baseball teams are showing. I applaud all that thought of it,and all that are participating and a what a great lesson for these young men participating. We can all make some sort of difference.
Posted by: Standing proud in Covina | January 11, 2009 10:03 PM
This is a great gesture, but it is sad that it takes a tragedy to bring our community together.America is still the greatest country in world,God bless
Posted by: J.D. Ochoa | January 10, 2009 10:42 AM
Someone should invite the
Ontario High Baseball team
to play in this fundraiser
the youngest victim played
for Ontario High
Posted by: Moreno C. | January 9, 2009 9:18 PM
Someone should invite the
Ontario High School baseball team to participate in this
fundraiser because the youngest victim in this tragedy played for Ontario High
Posted by: C Moreno | January 9, 2009 9:15 PM
Fred,
If possible, out of respect for this event, someone mentioned earlier that this should be the top topic on your blog for the next week. It's just that important for everyone to see and everything takes a second to this event right now.
Posted by: Tommy | January 9, 2009 4:22 PM
THIS WILL BE A GREAT EVENT. 3 OF THESE TEAMS WERE CIF SEMI FINALISTS, SO NOT ONLY A GOOD CAUSE BUT MAN SOME GOOD BASEBALL TO WATCH AS WELL. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. MY PRAYERS ARE WITH THE ENTIRE ORTEGA FAMILY MOST IMPORTANTLY.
Posted by: JOEBALL | January 9, 2009 11:43 AM
Great job coaches & players !Now lets' everyone as a community get out there and show our support !
Posted by: Mark Perez | January 9, 2009 9:28 AM
Here is the article where you can read about the Ortega's horse, Return of the King, winning yesterday at Santa Anita. The plan is for the horse to now be sold.
http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-horse9-2009jan09,0,2315488.story
Posted by: Racefan | January 9, 2009 8:59 AM
A super idea can start out as a thought and turn into something wonderful. Let's hope this thing just takes off and lots of people use something they enjoy (baseball here) to contribute and come together.
Posted by: Tim | January 9, 2009 6:50 AM
Loaiza, Quinley, and Murph have always been classy men (Ive never met Mr Smith but Im sure he is as well). Darren I still remember the game you lost your teeth in when we played in High School. Its awesome to see the community rally for the Ortega's. They are an awesome family and the children left behind could use the support. For those of you asking for another way to donate, there has been an account set up at Wells Fargo for the kids. You can go to any branch and let them know you want to donate to the account. Keep showing the support to our neighbors, they truly are an awesome family. Good job coaches, you are doing a great thing. See you on the 19th. Jerry Espinoza
Posted by: Jerry Espinoza | January 8, 2009 11:08 PM
Hey boys - well done. This is a great idea and great teams to be participating. We can only hope for great community participation, Someone mentioned early - you should definitely charge WHO wouldn't pay? Good luck and we will be ther for sure. I don't even care who wins.
Posted by: Good ideas | January 8, 2009 10:10 PM
Lets show the Ortega famile we care and we take care of our own. Covina and nearby cities are proud of community and it's people. support people support
Posted by: ortegas in our hearts | January 8, 2009 9:55 PM
Great job guys. Lets have all local teams come out and represent.
Posted by: Born and raised in the SGV | January 8, 2009 7:55 PM
Hi all, I just got back from a game and read all the comments, and yes, as we get closer I will make this a much bigger deal, and hopefully there will be a huge turnout. I'm a Covina resident myself, I couldn't be prouder of what these schools have done.
Posted by: FredJ | January 8, 2009 5:22 PM
Fred,
Maybe you can set up a Paypal or something through the tribune for people to donate here or anonymously.
Great idea and encourage everyone to attend this event. Spread the word.
Posted by: Rich | January 8, 2009 5:02 PM
Fred,
If you recall, about a year or so ago we had "something" like this happen when there was a fund raiser at a local basball game due to the fact that one of the kids had cancer.
At that time I asked if there was another way to donate some money to this worthy cause, because I was not going to be able to attend that game.
well, same thing here.
Can't make the game, but sure would love to send a check or something.
Can you please post an address or something for those of us who can't make it?
Posted by: jcaz | January 8, 2009 4:37 PM
I'am proud to be a covinian today! what a great fundraiser for a horrific tragedy that shook not just are community but the entire nation. Hat's off to Charter Oak, Northview, South Hils, and Covina High school. And hey guess what every single one of those teams has a great program and fields a great team every year. i know it's just for fun but their will be athletes their.
Posted by: cohs | January 8, 2009 4:20 PM
The Ortega's horse won today at Santa Anita. I heard that Santa Anita Race Track is also planning a fundraiser for the family.
Posted by: Racefan | January 8, 2009 4:06 PM
I planned to take my son to his first high school baseball game this year.
No better way to do it than a double header for a good cause.
Posted by: Rob | January 8, 2009 3:55 PM
Why dont the sell the family's racing horse? It's worth about 500,00
Posted by: Chilihead | January 8, 2009 3:55 PM
I AGREE FRED, PLEASE KEEP THIS AS THE TOP STORY/THREAD EVERYDAY UNTIL GAME DAY. THIS IS A GREAT OPPURTUNITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO REALLY COME TOGETHER AND 'DO SOMETHING' AND ENJOY SOME BASEBALL AS WELL. GREAT IDEA COACHES. WAY TO STEP IT UP.
Posted by: COVINA PRIDE | January 8, 2009 3:45 PM
Hey Fred, is the Tribune going to put this fundraising event on it's front cover page on the 1-19-09 edition. I would be great if everyone knows about the event. I will have my entire family attend the game.
God bless the Ortega Family and the four high school's for helping out.
Posted by: SHF | January 8, 2009 3:40 PM
Could not be more proud to be a NV grad, and then to see 3 of these 4 coaches from NV as well!!!! This horrific nightmare has effected so many people in general but especially any of us in, from, or near Covina. I hope every coach, player can stop by at the very least, donate $10.00 bucks or more would be great. Come on people, we can do something so minimal and it can go such a long way with this family.
Posted by: way to go | January 8, 2009 3:29 PM
Classy move.
Knowing the cause they should charge admission too. We'd all pay.
Greta job coaches!
Posted by: Joe Amat | January 8, 2009 2:42 PM
Fred,
Can this topic migrate over to the Pasadena Star News Blog (Miguel)?
This is a great idea and should be shared!
Posted by: Deacon Blue | January 8, 2009 2:12 PM
Fred, this is so awesome. Just brought tears to my eyes. Should be a great turn out. Hope to see you there! Way to Go Coaches!!!
Posted by: NV VIKING MOM | January 8, 2009 2:01 PM
This is great! I am very proud that our 4 city coaches (Quinley @ Charter Oak, Smith @ SH, Murphy @ NV & Loaiza @ Covina) stepped up to the plate & hit a home run to make this charity event happen. It shows what kind of true leaders our community has in our baseball coaches & we as parents should be very proud to have our kids play for them.
Please, lets get out to the game on Monday, the 19th & help support the Ortega Family.
Thanks Fred for letting us know about this event. Hopefully you will have an article about it in the newspaper as well.
Posted by: a proud resident of Covina | January 8, 2009 1:47 PM